Steve Alford was hired as UCLA basketball coach on Saturday, spurning New Mexico days after he agreed to a new 10-year deal with the Lobos for a chance to run what he called “the premier basketball program in the country.”

The Bruins are bringing in someone who shares the same Indiana roots as John Wooden, who led UCLA to a record 10 national championships before retiring in 1975. Alford learned about Wooden as a first-grader in Martinsville, Ind., where his father, Sam, coached the high school basketball team at Wooden's alma mater.

“Ever since then there was a draw to find out more about him,” Alford said. “I know my first steps into Pauley I will really feel that.”

Alford agreed to a seven-year deal worth $18.2 million, with a $200,000 signing bonus, according to UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero. Alford will be introduced in Westwood on Tuesday.

“This is truly a leap of faith,” he said.

Guerrero said UCLA reached out to Alford first, not knowing whether he would be interested in the Bruins.

Once he said he was, the details were finalized early Saturday, Guerrero said.

Alford's deal with New Mexico, scheduled to take effect on April 1, was worth more than $20 million over 10 years.

Guerrero said Alford is responsible for a buyout of his agreement in Albuquerque, but that UCLA would work out the details.

Alford, who is 48, succeeds Ben Howland, who was fired last weekend after 10 years and a 233-107 record that included three consecutive Final Four appearances.

Alford had a 155-52 record in six years at New Mexico, with the Lobos making three trips to the NCAA tournament. Overall, he's 385-206 at the D-I level with stops at Iowa and Missouri State.

D-II semifinals: Metro State, which knocked St. Mary's out of the NCAA tournament in the Sweet 16, will face Drury for the Division II title on April 7 in Atlanta.